Mother testifies in trial of men accused of slaying daughter, son-in-law

Defense attorney Ryan Markson delivered an opening statement Tuesday on behalf of Cox in which he alleged his client played a subsidiary role and should not be found guilty of the murders. Markson asserted the onslaught stemmed from Miller's personal vendetta against Pietrzak. Cox thought he was joining the three to go to a party in Hemet, the attorney said.

"Although Kevin Cox participated in the murder and robbery, he was a minor participant, not a major participant," Markson said.

After his statement, Jenkins-Pietrzak's mother was the first witness DeLimon called to the stand. She described having a very close relationship with her daughter, whom Jenkins raised in San Bernardino before the daughter moved to attend San Diego State. That is where she met Pietrzak, a Polish immigrant raised in New York.

The only other witness called to the stand Tuesday was Pietrzak's supervising officer at Camp Pendleton. The retired staff sergeant said he became concerned when Pietrzak failed to show up for work on Oct. 15, 2008. After he couldn't locate him or his wife, he called the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and an employee agreed to have officers sent to their home to check on them.

Testimony concerning the crime scene is expected when the trial resumes Wednesday in the Riverside Hall of Justice courtroom of Judge Christian Thierbach.